Curtains Up, Walls Down: The Power of Performing Arts

The performing arts have long been a powerful vehicle for storytelling and connection—transcending language, culture, and politics to foster empathy and dialogue. On June 5, 2025, Meridian International Center brought together leading voices in theater, ballet, and cultural programming as part of our annual Culturefix Morning Conversations to explore how performing arts institutions are uniquely positioned to drive cultural diplomacy, build civic leadership, and engage communities in addressing today’s social challenges.  

With an introduction from Culturefix Co-Chair Marlene Malek and moderated by Eric Latzky, Principal of Culture Communications NY, the conversation featured insights from Edwaard Liang, Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet, Paul Tetreault, Director of Ford’s Theatre, and Angela Lee Gieras, Executive Director of Shakespeare Theatre Company. Together, these leaders shared their perspectives on the intersection of history, education, and the arts in cultivating cross-cultural understanding through performance. 

Here are some top takeaways from the program:

1. Values Sustain Performing Arts and Dialogue  

Performing arts organizations serve as vital custodians of shared values such as integrity, empathy, and civic responsibility—principles that sustain them through social and political shifts. Rooted in historic legacies, these values guide institutions to foster spaces for dialogue and community connection. In today’s global landscape, where polarization threatens discourse, the performing arts stand out as a resilient platform for cultural diplomacy.

2. Education Builds Critical Thinkers and Future Civic Leaders  

Beyond technique, performing arts education—whether through theater, ballet, or dance—cultivates essential skills in critical thinking, communication, and emotional intelligence. Programs like national oratory competitions rooted in historic traditions enable young people to grapple with pressing social issues, developing their capacity for public speaking and civic engagement. Early exposure to both classical works and contemporary narratives encourages lifelong engagement with the arts as tools for reflection and dialogue. 

3. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Expands Arts Access

The integration of SEL into performing arts education enriches student development by promoting self-awareness and collaboration. Creative programs that connect dance and music with contemporary cultural icons or relevant social topics open new entry points for youth engagement. Such initiatives demonstrate how the performing arts can evolve to meet the emotional and social needs of the next generation, reinforcing their role in cultural diplomacy.

4. Youth Empowerment Through History and Art

Engaging youth in creative reinterpretations of historical narratives, such as speeches inspired by Abraham Lincoln, empowers them to address current societal challenges through their own voices. This fusion of history and art transforms the performing arts into a dynamic space for civic leadership development and cultural diplomacy, emphasizing the power of storytelling in shaping shared values and collective memory.

5. The Performing Arts as a Universal Language

Music, dance, and theater transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, fostering connection through shared human experience. The arts’ underlying structures—such as the mathematical rhythms in music and movement—create a universal vocabulary that facilitates empathy and collaboration across nations. Emphasizing this universality enhances the capacity of cultural diplomacy initiatives to build bridges and promote mutual respect in an interconnected world.